It’s parliamentary return day in Quebec, marking the start of the 2024 political year! As at the start of every political season, the different political parties, including the government, develop strategies, particularly in terms of communication, in order to better position themselves, get their messages across and, ultimately, increase their electorate. The preparatory meetings are an opportunity for leaders to draw up the road map and get their deputies to adhere to the game plan. They still need to understand it and see it as a real advantage for them.
Let’s take the example of the CAQ. For several days, she has been hammering home the same words: discipline and consistency. But in practical terms, what does this mean for backbenchers? For them, discipline means not publicly expressing concerns that are not in agreement with the government line, as MP Éric Girard (the MP and not the Minister of Finance) did, and trusting almost blindly in the government’s strategy for delivering on promises. It’s a real challenge, especially given the challenges that lie ahead.
Now let’s move on to the Liberals. They promise to move up a gear on housing and the economy. But beyond this declaration of intent, why haven’t they already done it? In addition to surfing on current issues, liberals must find an obsession, whether it be education, the economy or health. We don’t know what foot they’re dancing on and that doesn’t make us want to follow them. They cannot be content to only make people talk about them through Denis Coderre.
Québec solidaire must find a battle horse. The environment is important, but unfortunately it is not yet an issue that mobilizes voters. Social solidarity, anchored in their DNA, brings together a wider audience. Their challenge is to have consistency in their positions and to avoid public declarations which divert the debate and confine them to the posture of “radical leftists”.
The PQ is the only party that begins the parliamentary session with a favorable wind. Voting intentions are there, media attention is also present, the game plan is clearer and they fully embrace their reason for being. Taking responsibility is the secret of this meteoric rise in the polls. Assumption means being frank, even when it doesn’t please and it’s not fashionable. Nevertheless, the PQ quartet will have to stay the course while facing increasingly persistent attacks, which inevitably come with the status of favorite. They will have to run the ultramarathon until the next election while avoiding the traps generously set by their adversaries.
Expectations are high for the government and the Parti Québécois, but quite low for the Liberals and Solidarity. A smart person is anyone who can imagine what the political landscape will look like at the end of the year.